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Mason Maloney

I sat on the icy cold bleachers with Bella while the two of us waited for Ross and Pete to return with our hot chocolate. Since it was the beginning of December, the nights were exceptionally cold and playoff football had begun. It seemed as though tonight there was an even bigger crowd than usual, so getting seats on the bleachers was a feat of its own. Our town was filled with excitement at the prospect of winning the championship this year, but our team would have to make it through two playoff games for that.

Bella stood up and waved over her three book club friends who she was saving seats for. I had almost forgotten about her friend Wendy who had a thing for me, but I was quickly reminded when she looked at me with flirtatious eyes.

"Thanks for saving us seats, Bell," one of the girls said, moving past me to sit with Bella. The four girls began talking animatedly about Bella's date tomorrow night, discussing what she would wear. I tuned them out and patiently waited for the return of my friends.

I didn't have to wait long before I saw Ross and Pete making their way up the bleacher steps, holding cups of hot chocolate in each hand. Ross sat down next to me and handed me a cup to which I handed to Bella, before he handed me my own.

"The line was outrageous," Pete complained, sipping his drink and quickly retracting his mouth from it.

Ross nodded in agreement. "I didn't think we would make it back in time for kickoff."

Just as he said the words, the game started. I turned to him with raised eyebrows.

"Well, you made good timing," I commented.

Pete reached over Ross to swat at my shoulder, nodding his head and gesturing for me to look to my side.

"Dude, that girl Wendy keeps looking at you," Pete told me excitedly in a hushed tone.

I didn't even have to look to know he was telling me the truth. I couldn't fathom why she had a thing for me, but I knew that she definitely did. She made it obvious.

"Not interested," I muttered, blowing on my hot chocolate before taking a small sip. The liquid burned my tongue as soon as it entered my mouth, but I paid it no mind. At least I would have an excuse to not talk to Wendy if my tongue was burned.

"Why not?" Pete asked. "She's cute."

"Then you talk to her," I replied with an eye roll to which Ross let out a small chuckle.

Pete looked at me with a blank expression for a few moments before shrugging and taking a sip of his drink.

"I just might," he said.

I surely hoped he would. It wasn't that Wendy bothered me, she rarely ever spoke to me. I just figured everyone would be better off if she forgot about her crush on me.

While I stared off into space, everyone around me stood up and cheered as the Warriors scored the first touchdown of the game. I didn't bother standing up since I had already missed it.

By the end of the game, the Warriors had scored twenty-eight points while the other team was stuck with a measly three. As everyone swarmed the stairs, trying to get out of the bleachers, I felt a hand on my lower back. I turned to see that it was Wendy.

"Sorry," she said in an innocent voice. "There are so many people. I don't want to fall."

I nodded, not really buying that the reason she touched me was to prevent herself from falling. Though I didn't believe her, I didn't say anything as she kept her hand on me and we made our way down the bleachers.

"Are you going to Bella's tonight?" Wendy asked, falling into step beside me as the rest of our friends walked ahead of us.

I sighed, shaking my head. "No, I have other plans," I lied.

She gave me an unreadable expression. "That's a shame."

When I didn't answer her, she took the opportunity to say something else.

"We should hang out more," Wendy told me, moving to stand closer to me so that my arm brushed up against her's. "I'd really like to get to know you better."

I didn't respond, looking to Ross for help, but he was immersed in his phone, most likely talking to Liza. The two of them were supposed to meet up after the game tonight.

Wendy had seemed so shy at first, just staring at me and never really talking to me, but now she had somehow found the courage to spark up a conversation and I was not excited about that.

"Maybe some other time," I said, though I didn't mean it. I had no intention of getting to know any of Bella's friends, especially not Wendy.

Luckily, I made it to mine and Nathan's car within the next few moments. Nathan had given me the keys earlier so that I would be able to get in the car to wait for him. I quickly slid in the car, not bothering to say goodbye to anyone.

Nathan didn't take long to make it to the car. When he got in the driver's seat, he appeared to not even have showered yet.

"You could have showered," I said, a look of disgust on my face.

"I will at home," he said, starting the car after I handed him the keys.

"That doesn't help the smell situation right now," I responded, opening my window.

Nathan smirked and looked at me out of the corner of his eyes.

"It's not that bad," Nathan defended himself with a laugh. "You're just dramatic."

"You're used to it because that's what you always smell like," I explained. "It's gross."

Without warning, Nathan grabbed my head and put me in a headlock with his right arm as he drove out of the school parking lot. All I could smell was his disgusting sweat as I struggled to break free.

"Nathan!" I screeched, pulling at his arm to try to get him to release me.

"Take it back," was all he said.

"Take back what? The truth?" I asked as I continued to struggle. He was too strong for me to defeat.

Nathan didn't say anything as he continued to keep his hold on me. Eventually I gave up and let myself go limp in his hold, sighing in defeat.

"Fine, you don't smell all the time," I mumbled, pulling my head away from him as soon as he loosened his grip. "But right now, you smell like death."

Nathan went to grab for me again, but this time I made sure I leaned far enough away from him so that I was out of his reach.

Soon enough, we made it to our house and I made sure to get in my room before Nathan could do anything else to me. I sat on my bed, looking toward my door until I heard the shower turn on, signaling I was safe from Nathan's stench.

I pulled my phone out after feeling it vibrate in my pocket. It turned out to be a text from Sam.

Will you need a ride to work tomorrow?

I thought about it for a moment. There was no way that Nathan would be awake by the time I had to go to work, since we were working the morning shift. He wouldn't see Sam come pick me up.

That would be nice

Okay. You still coming to mine after work?

Yesssss

Perfect:)

Sam and I exchanged a few more casual texts before I eventually fell asleep.

***

By the time our shifts were over the next day, I was ready to cuddle up next to my boyfriend and take a nap. The morning shift really tended to take a lot out of me.

When we got to Sam's house, I suggested we go up to his room to lie down and he quickly agreed with me. And so, that was where we were. I rested my head on Sam's chest, wrapping my arm around his waist while his arm was around my shoulders and our legs were intertwined.

"I need to tell you something," I suddenly mumbled against Sam's body, running my finger up and down his chest.

He picked his head up, looking at me with a confused expression. It was cute, the way he looked like he had just woken up with his eyes slightly puffy.

"What?" Sam asked in a husky, raspy voice.

I chuckled, picking my head up. "Were you asleep?"

"I was falling asleep," he answered, clearing his throat. "What did you need to tell me?"

It had slipped my mind that I had forgotten to tell Sam that I told Ross about our relationship. I knew he wouldn't be angry about it, but he deserved to know that someone else knew about us.

"I told Ross about us," I said, placing my palm on his chest.

"You did?" Sam asked, surprised.

I nodded. "I guess I just wanted to tell someone. Keeping a secret like this is exhausting."

Sam chuckled and nodded in agreement. "It is."

We sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments before Sam decided to speak up again.

"I think Christo is coming over later," he said. "Maybe you should invite Ross."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Of course Christo is coming over later."

Sam laughed, his chest vibrating under my head. "I don't know what his problem is lately."

"Maybe something went on with Jake and Owen," I suggested. Christo was hanging around with us so much, it seemed like he wasn't seeing his other friends.

Sam shook his head. "They're fine with each other at school. That can't be it."

"Maybe he just really likes hanging out with me," I joked, looking up at Sam.

"I'm sure that's it," Sam replied with a smile as he looked down to meet my gaze.

The two of us decided on taking a nap after our conversation. It seemed like we were only asleep for a matter of minutes when Christo came barging into Sam's room, ordering us to wake up. In fact, it had been two hours. We were stilled cuddled in the same position, not having moved in our sleep.

"It's, like, two-thirty in the afternoon. Why are you guys asleep?" Christo asked, sitting down on the bed beside me.

"Because we had to be to work for five AM?" Sam suggested sarcastically, his voice raspy and heavy from sleep.

I let my eyes close to rest, but Christo quickly shoved me and my eyes shot open again, sending him a tired glare.

"Wake up, Little Maloney," Christo said, looking down at me. "I'm bored. You guys need to pay attention to me."

"You're so high maintenance," I groaned, sitting up slightly and leaning over Christo to grab my phone from the nightstand.

"Are you going to invite Ross?" Sam asked, pulling me closer to him and resting his head on my shoulder.

"Ross?" Christo asked confusedly, tilting his head to the side.

"He's my friend," I answered him, scrolling through my phone to send Ross a text message.

"Why would he come here?" Christo asked, sounding just as confused as before.

Sam let out a sigh. "Mason told him about us."

Christo looked slightly disappointed and annoyed at the news Sam shared with him. He sent me a subtle glare.

"So I'm not the only one that knows anymore?" Christo said with annoyance lacing his tone.

I rolled my eyes. He was as dramatic as Bella. Maybe the two of them would make a good couple.

"Get over it," Sam said sternly.

I quickly sent a text to Ross, inviting him over to Sam's house and sending him my location.

If you're not doing anything, you should come to Sam's.

sure

His reply was short, exactly what I would expect from Ross. He always seemed to be on his phone, but he never wasted too much time texting. Every text he sent was always straight and to the point. Unless he was talking to Liza, I supposed.

"He's coming," I announced, removing myself from Sam's grip to stand from the bed.

"The whole town is gonna know about you two if you don't keep your mouth shut!" Christo exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air.

"I told one person," I said, giving Christo a pointed look.

"The only one here who would let the whole town know is your big mouth," Sam told him, getting up to stand beside me.

Sam placed his hand on my lower back and led me out of his room, bringing the two of us downstairs. Christo followed soon after, mumbling under his breath. Sam and I sat down on the couch, Sam throwing his arm around my shoulders and me leaning into his side with my head on his chest. Christo snatched the remote off of the coffee table before Sam could and turned the TV on, switching to a movie channel.

"What the hell is this?" Sam asked in a grumpy tone to which I pinched his side for. He winced slightly, but I assumed he got the hint.

"You've never seen Miss Congeniality?" Christo questioned with a shocked expression, raising his eyebrows in disbelief.

Sam and I both shook our heads, Christo giving us a gaping expression.

"What kind of gays are you?" he mumbled, shaking his head and looking toward the TV.

I looked up at Sam the same time he gazed down at me. The two of us gave each other strange looks as if asking: "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

We didn't say anything as Christo looked straight ahead at the movie, seemingly ignoring us. Sam didn't seem to be paying attention to the movie as he scrolled on his phone. Eventually he brought the phone in front of my face, snapping a picture of me.

"What the hell?" I whispered, looking up at my smirking boyfriend.

"I took a picture of you," was his reply.

"Yeah, I got that," I answered with a light chuckle. "Why?"

Sam shrugged. "I always take pictures of you."

I sat up and raised my brow. "You do?"

Sam nodded.

"How come I haven't noticed?" I wondered.

"Maybe because you're oblivious?" Sam teased, a smirk covering his face. "I take them when you look happy."

My heart swelled at his words. If it were anyone else, I would have found this gesture creepy, but this was Sam, my Sam.

Sam reached his phone out in front of us and snapped a quick picture of the both of us, while I was still looking at him. When he showed me the picture, I realized I was looking at him with a wide smile and a blush on my cheeks. My gaze was intent on him, looking at him like he was the light of my life.

"See?" Sam said, his smirk turning into a smile of his own.

I bit my bottom lip, my upper lip turning up as I tried to hide my smile. In a quick motion, I leaned up to give my boyfriend a kiss on the cheek. He was quicker than I was and snapped another picture.

"Sam!" I laughed.

"You look cute," he said, staring down at the picture he took.

For the next few minutes, the two of us sat there taking selfies on Sam's phone instead of watching the movie with Christo. Christo didn't seem to mind as he was too invested in the movie to care about what we were doing.

After a little while, there was a knock on the door. I sprung up from my seat on the couch, out of Sam's arms, to get to the front door. I scurried out of the living room and down the hall to meet Ross as I swung open the door quickly.

He looked casual and not nearly as nervous as I felt. I knew he said that he thought Sam was a cool guy, but he had only hung out with him once. If I was going to be with Sam for a while, then I needed my friends to like him, especially Ross. Out of my three closest friends, his opinion mattered to me the most.

"Hey man," Ross greeted me with a casual smile, stepping into the house. "So this is where you're always hanging out?"

I let out an awkward chuckle, scratching the back of my neck. "Yeah. Here and the bakery."

I led Ross to the living room where I left Christo and Sam, the two of them not being in the same positions as before. Instead of sitting on opposite sides of the couch, Christo was on top of Sam as he tried stealing the remote control from his grasp. The channels on the TV were rapidly changing as the two of them pressed down on the buttons in their tug of war.

I left an amused Ross standing in the doorway of the living room, stomping over to the idiotic boys on the couch. I smacked Christo hard on the shoulder, causing him to yelp. This distraction gave Sam the chance to knock him on the floor.

"That's not fair!" Christo exclaimed, lying on his back and looking up at me with an angry expression.

"Get over it," Sam said, changing the channel to ESPN and motioning for me to sit down beside him. I nodded my head over to Ross, causing Sam to look over at him.

"Oh hey, Ross," Sam greeted, motioning for him to come over to the couch. "Don't mind Christo, he's just a sore loser."

Ross chuckled, making his way over to the couch. I sat down beside Sam while Ross sat on my other side and Christo stayed on the floor, being dramatic as usual.

It didn't take long for Sam and Ross to fall into casual conversation. Sam seemed to be able to charm everyone he met, and Ross was no exception. I was grateful for that. I didn't know what I would do if Ross ended up hating him, he was the one person I expected to be on mine and Sam's side.

While the two of them spoke, Sam absentmindedly snaked his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I saw Ross bite back a close-lipped smile, obviously noticing the gesture that Sam didn't even seem to notice himself.

**

Hello everyone thanks for reading!

I just want to remind everyone that my update days are typically Wednesday and Friday (sometimes earlier/later but always twice a week) because I've been getting a lot of questions about it lately. I've had the last few Tuesdays (and I think next Tuesday) off from work so that's why I've had the chance to update earlier.

I also want to apologize to anyone who sent me a private message and I haven't replied. I get quite a few of them, but I always forget to check them too so sorry if I haven't gotten back to you.

LAST THING: Some of you wanted me to make the playlists that Mason and Sam made for each other and as of right now I have Mason's done and published on a separate book on my profile and Sam's will be done soon. If you're interested please check it out.

Please let me know what you thought of the chapter! What did you think of Sam, Mason, Ross and Christo hanging out?

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net